The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1887-05-18
JUSTICE AT LAST.
BY TX. A. RILEY.

Meta Roberts was an orphan, and not
an heiress. lovely face and guileless
heart, coupled with poverty and sensitive
soul, often, very often, renders the pos
SCISSOR miserable. Meta Roberts might
have been very miserable had there been
no such person as Frank Martin in exist
ence; but there was Frank Martin, and he
and Meta had been lovers from their child
hood up. So when Meta was, at one fell
swoop, deprived of both parents and left a
sorrowing, penniless orphan, Frank Mar
tin came forward, like the true man that he
was, and offered to shield her from the
rough blasts of adversely by making her
the mistress of his home and the wife of
his bosom.
Metals pride might have made her hest
tate to accept this Offer Notwithstanding
she loved Frank dearly, had she not known
so well that Frank had always loved her in
return, and that the offer had only been
fastened very little by her destitute situa-
tson. They were married, and year glided
by, and all went on happily.
Frank Martin was an industrious me-
chanic, earning his bread, as do thousands
of honest freemen in this broad land, by
the sweat of his brow. Dull care was
stranger at his fireside, and blithe- hearted
Meta could always charm away, with her
days toll. A little boy baby was ushered
into existence, and then their JOY was al
most complete.
Frank was a carpenter, and had not the
means to carry on the trade extensively,
but was compelled to accept so much
wages a week, and lose his independence
rs a workman by having boss. But,
thought Frank, lit is only for while; in
year or two, at the furthest, by being eco
nomical, l can take jobs on my own ac-
count"
Mr.. Clayton, an enterprising contractor,
was Franks employer. One evening after
Frank and one of his fellow workmen,
named Jiles, had completed a job. Mr..
Clayton came and inspected it. After
commencing the work, he took Frank to
one side and said
81 have job for you to-morrow that
will require skill, which l know you pos
sess. Jiles is good enough workman in
his way, but when want anything in the
ornamental style that requires skill and
taste, prefer you"
Frank, feeling fattered by the compli-
ment, expressed his thanks, and desired to
know the nature of the job.
1T is this" said his employer. a GER
tain Mr.. Henry jenkins, who is very
wealthy, desires counterpart of an antique
mantel-piece in one of his rooms, to put
up in the room opposite, which he usually
occupies. He lives at No. 2i1 Murray
street. Gothere in the morning and take a
plan of the work to be done, and return to
the shop and complete it, and L will pay
you extra.
Frank once more expressed his thanks 20
his employer, and they separated.
Next morning Frank repaired TO the man
sion. He rang the door bell, and the door
Inv n nd ha nj cd
him with his business.
"Mr. Jenkins is out at present, but he
left directions that if you came you should
be allowed to examine the mantel-piece.
Follow me-"
They assembled one flight of stairs, and
Frank was ushered into the room contain
ing the antique mantel-piece. The servant
said to Frank, as he turned to depart:
Il have business back in the kitchen for
a while, and if Mr.. Jenkins should happen
to ring while l am absent, would you be
kind enough to step down stairs and admit
him? It's my duty to attend to the door,
but he won't care so it's attended to-"
Certainly" replied Frank, who was of
an accommodating disposition; and the
servant took his leave.
The mantel-piece was deliberately carved,
and so many were the peculiarities about 1t
that Frank saw at once that the mere out
line would not be sufficient guide, SO he
took out his drawing materials and began
sketching tin earnest. He had been oc-
cupied probably twenty minutes when he
heard ring at the door-bell. Remember
ing his promise to the servant, he fastened
down stairs. He opened the door, and a
well dressed young gentleman stood before
him. Frank had never seen Mr.. jenkins,
so he inquired
as this Mr.. Jenkins?"
"Yes, the gentleman replied; "but who
are your"
81 am the carpenter sent by Mr.. Clayton
to take design of the mantel-piece up
stairs.
"Ahl But where the mischief is George.
the servant
He went back to the kitchen for some
purpose, and told him 1 would open the
door in his stead, replied Frank, respect
fully.
The gentleman made no reply, but
pushed by Frank and hurried up stairs.
He stopped at the door of the room oppo-
site to the one containing the mantel-
piece. He tried the door, found it locked,
took out bunch of keys, inserted one, un-
locked it, and entered. Frank re-entered
the room in which he had been engaged,
and recommended his labor.
IN few minutes he heard Mr.. Jenkins,
as ne supposed the young man 10 De, come
out of the room and hurriedly descend the
stairs. Frank kept at his sketch, and i'll
about half an hour had it completed to his
satisfaction. He stepped out of the room,
and as his eyes fell on the opposite door,
and he saw that it was partially open, with
the key in the lock, he concluded that he
would step in and take look at the place
where he was to fasten the mantel-board
after he had it finished. He entered and
examined to see how he might arrange to
fasten il firmly. While he was so engaged,
he heard footsteps rapidly ascending the
stairs. He blushed at the idea of being
caught in room into which be had not
been invited, notwithstanding he had en-
tered it with honest intentions. He stepped
to the door hurriedly, and, walking out,
found himself face to face with middle
aged gentleman, slightly bald, with q
olethoric face and body to match.
"Halloo! Who the mischief are you,
coming out of my room in this manner"
"I--I-don't-I don't understand"
"Neither do /, interrupted the pletboric
gentleman, moving hastily TO the door, and
Withdrawing the key.
To the establishment and alarm of Frank,
il proved to be n skeleton key, such as is
used by professional burglars. The Pile